History of ​Let's Get Physical 5K

2020 marks the sixth year of both a hands-on, experiential learning Sport Event & Facilities Management course and its fundraiser. Over the past five years, the Sport and Event Facilities Management course has hosted successful cornhole (bags) tournaments, a 5K in 2017, and a 5K/10K in 2018 and 2019. This year, the class will again host a 5K/10K run/walk to support the McKendree University Sport Management Society, a student group, and CAC, an integral part of the East St. Louis community that provides support to kids in its community. ​ Developing, planning, executing, and evaluating the Let’s Get Physical 5K/10K race helps Sport Management majors put their classroom learning to use and understand “real world” scenarios; it also gives students sales, marketing, and sponsorship experiences, as well as networking opportunities outside of the classroom.

History of McKendree Sport Management Society

Like many college majors, practical experience outside the classroom is an essential part of a Sport Management major’s learning; as a result, students recently founded the McKendree Sport Management Society.

In just its fifth year as a student organization, students have gained valuable skills at events like the NCAA Division I and Division II Wrestling National Championships, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds, the NCAA Division I Women's Final Four, the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball tournament, and the Great Lakes Valley Conference basketball tournament.

History of CAC

In 1989, the purpose of the Christian Activity Center (CAC) in East St. Louis was to keep kids alive. Now, 30 years later, its purpose is to change kids' lives through systemic, deliberate change in the East St. Louis community itself. CAC's work has not only improved individuals' lives, but it also has set the stage for a changed community dynamic in its immediate neighborhood.

​CAC leaders firmly believe the St. Louis region will not thrive as a national leader again until the East St. Louis community is a strong, healthy, vibrant community. Their efforts are based on a shared vision for the city's development, based in its people's productivity.